New Year’s Eve is a fun night for families to celebrate together, but young kids often struggle to stay awake until midnight. Here are some ideas for ringing in the new year (a little early) with your kids.

Noon Year’s Eve

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus hosts a festive New Year’s Eve event for little ones and their families. Families are welcome to celebrate with ball drops every hour, rainbow confetti, bubble wrap fireworks, art projects, and more.

Date: December 31

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver

Cost: Free under age one, $13 age one, $15 age two to 59, $13 age 60+

Website: mychildsmuseum.org

NYE at Mount Vernon Country Club

Ring in the new year with the whole family at Mount Vernon Country Club. The event is open to the public and features separate areas for adults and kids. Parents can enjoy a speakeasy-themed event, which includes appetizers, four-course dinner, cash bar, live music, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. A separate Kids Klub event for ages four to 14, includes pizza, snacks, beverages, a Wii dance off, games, and movies.

Date: December 31

Time: 6 p.m. to midnight

Location: 24933 Club House Cir., Golden

Cost: $85 adults, $25 child

Website: mountvernoncc.com

Family Day Out: NYE Celebration

Spend some time in the kitchen cooking with your family at Uncorked Kitchen’s NYE celebration. Make a variety of breakfast dishes including: winter vegetable frittata, cinnamon apple crepes, bacon and squash hash with pan fried egg, beignets with chocolate dipping sauce, and sparkling cider mocktails.

Date: December 31

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: 8171 S. Chester St., Suite A, Centennial

Cost: $100 per pair, ages six and older

Website: uncorkedkitchen.com

New Year’s Eve Family Dance

Dress up and take part in a family-friendly New Year’s Eve dance at YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. Enjoy a DJ, snacks, and drinks, and watch the ball drop at 10 p.m.

Date: December 31

TIme: 8:30 p.m.

Location: Longhouse Building, 1101 County Rd. 53, Granby

Cost: Free for guests of YMCA

Website: snowmountainranch.org

Ring in 2017 at Bowlmor AMF

Celebrate the new year with a daytime family party package. Packages include two hours of unlimited bowling (including shoes), a kid-friendly buffet, and sparkling cider and champagne toasts.

Date: December 31 and January 1

Time: Times vary

Location: Multiple locations

Cost: Varies by location

Website: events.bowlmoramf.com/nye#daytime

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

The sky over downtown Denver comes to life with two magnificent fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve. There’s an early show at 9 p.m. for families, which is just as spectacular as the midnight show.

Date: December 31

Time: 9 p.m. and midnight

Location: Downtown Denver, 16th Street Mall

Cost: Free

Website: downtowndenver.com

Zoo Year’s Eve

Young animal enthusiasts can ring in the new year at Denver Zoo. As part of Zoo Lights, families can enjoy 70 acres of illuminated animal sculptures and exciting animal encounters, along with fun activities for the entire family and a special countdown at 9 p.m.

Date: December 31

Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Location: 2300 Steele St., Denver

Cost: $10 age three to 11, $15 age 12 to 64, $12 age 65+

Website: denverzoo.org?

Noon Year’s Eve at the Rink at Belmar

Be part of an early New Year’s Eve countdown at noon rather than midnight. Guests are invited to wear ?festive attire and take a few laps around the rink to ring in the new year. Party hats and noise makers will be available.

Date: December 31

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: 464 S. Teller St., Lakewood

Cost: Regular admission, check website

Website: belmarcolorado.com

WOW!’s New Year’s Eve Parties

Celebrate the new year before bedtime, with crafts, face painting, music, refreshments, and a countdown. Reservation required online.

Date: December 31

Time: 10 a.m. to noon; 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: WOW! Children’s Museum, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette

Cost: $10 nonmember child, $6 member child, $5 adult

Website: wowchildrensmuseum.org

Christina Cook

Christina Cook is the associate editor for Colorado Parent magazine.